Concrete-block machine.



, J. H. OBERLE. CONCRETE BLOCK MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.27, I915.

1 ,2] ,36'fi Patented Apr. 3, 1917.

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CONCRETE BLOCK MACHINE.

APPLICATION man 050.21. I915.

1,921,36? Patented Apr. 3, 1917.

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CONCRETE BLOCK MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-27,1915.

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J. H. OBERLEL' CONCRETE BLOCK MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 0c.27,191s.

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JOSEPH I-I. OBEBLE, 0F MABSHALLTOWN, IOWA.

CONCRETE-BLOCK MACHINE.

Application filed December 27, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, Josnrr-r H. OBERLE, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Marshalltown, in the county of Marshall and State of Iowa, have invented a certain new and useful Concrete-Block Machine, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a concrete bloclcmachine of the type having a reciprocating core.

A further object is to provide such a machine having an expansible core.

Still a further object is to provide such a machine having mechanism for reciprocating the core and for automatically expanding and collapsing the core at definite times with relation to the reciprocating movement of said core.

A further object is to provide such a ma chine having such a core provided with detachable parts whereby the shape of the block to be made may be varied as desired.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front elevation of a concrete block machine embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 shows an end elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 shows a rear elevation of the machine.

Fig. 4 shows an end elevation of the expansible core and part of the operating mechanism therefor.

Fig. 5 shows a longitudinal, sectional view' Specification of I ietters Patent.

Patented Apr. 3, 1917;

Serial no. 68,886

end of the mold box, showing a detachable core member installed.

Fig. 10 shows a top or plan view of the mold box and core with a different form of detachable core mounted therein.

11 shows a top'or plan view of the mold box with a core therein for making concrete bricks.

Fig. 12 shows a plan view of the mold box and core with another form of detachable core installed.

Fig. 13 shows a top or plan view of the mold box having the half rounds in the bottom thereof for making a block with grooves.

Fig. 14 shows a horizontal, sectional View, taken on the line 1414 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 15 shows a horizontal, sectional View, taken on the line 15l5 of Fig. 1.

In the accompanying drawings I have used the reference numeral 10 to indicate generally the upright members of the frame of my improved concrete block machine. The frame members 10 are connected near their top and bottom by the transverse end members 11 and 12 and are connected by the transverse side members 13 and 14'. The frame may be cast if desired, or may be built up of channel or angle iron or the like.

At each end the frame is formed with a pair of spaced parallel guide members 15.

Suitably mounted on top of the frame of the machine is a mold box, one side 16 of which is permanently secured. One end 17 is hinged to one end of the side 16, and another end 18 is hinged to the other end of the sidelG. Hinged to the end 18 is an opposite side 19. Suitable coacting locking devices 9.0 and 21 are secured to the side member 19 and end member 17 for locking the mold box in its formed and closing position. The members 17, 18 and 19 are of less height than the member 16 to permit them to clear the pallet.

The pallet used with the collapsible core may be of the ordinary type having, however, a central opening to permit the passage of the collapsible core hereinafter more fully described, and adapted to rest on the upper part of the frame.

Slidably mounted for vertical reciprocation in the main frame is a core reciprocat ieo ing frame 22 preferable rectangular in form. The shape of the side frame members of the reciprocating frame 22 and of the guide members 15 is shown in Fig. 14. Mounted on the upper end of the reciprocating frame 22 is a collapsible core which will now be described.

My improved collapsible core comprises a bottom member 23 mounted on top of the reciprocating frame 22, having at each end upright end members 24. A cover member 25 rests upon the end members 24. The top and bottom members are connected by spaced side plates or members 26. Outside the side members 26 are movable side members 27 designed to reciprocate horizontally with relation to the end members 24 and carrying inwardly extending pins 28 designed to slide in suitable openings 29 in the fixed side members 26. Each side member 27 at each end outside the members 24 is provided with a pair of spaced, parallel inwardly extending flanges 30 and 31. Mounted for vertical sliding movement on the outer side of each end member 24, is an upright slidable member 32 preferably having near its ends vertically elongated slots 33 which receive bolts or pins 34 extending outwardly from. the ends 24 and which limit the up and down movement of the members 32.

Pivoted between the flanges 31 at each end of each movable side member 27, are links 35 which extend upwardly and inwardly adjacent to the members 32 and are pivoted to said members 32 as shown in Fig. 4. It will be seen that by imparting vertical sliding movement to the members 32, the side members 27 may be moved inwardly and outwardly. Vertical movement of the members 27 is prevented by the pins 28.

The partsare so constructed and arranged that when the members 32 are at their upward limit of movement, the links 35 are 111- clined upwardly and inwardly from their pivotal points where they are connected with the flanges 30 and 31 and the members 27 are at the inward limit of their movement. lVhen, however, the members 32 are moved to the downward limit of their movement, the links 35 force the members 27 outwardly to their expanded or extended positions shown in Fig. 2.

The members 24 at their lower ends have parallel rearward extensions 36, in which extensions is mounted a rock shaft 38.

Fixed on the rock shaft 38 at each end thereof is an arm 39 extending upwardly and inwardly and pivoted to the lower portion of one of the members 32. Fixed to the shaft 38 preferably at one end thereof, is a downwardly and rear-wardly extending lever 37. A powerful coil spring 40 secured to the lever 37 and to a portion of the frame 22 normally holds the members 32 at the upward limit of their movement for holding the core in its collapsed or contracted position. The core member 27 is provided with suitable slots 41 to permit reinforcing members to be inserted from the top and inclosed within the mold box for connecting the two sides of the block to be formed.

In this connection it will be seen that my improved block making machine is especially adapted for making a block in two parts connected by suitable reinforcing members, which block when completed is adapted to be used in building a wall having a continuous air space.

I will now describe themeans for reciprocating the frame 22 vertically and thereby reciprocating the expansible core and the means for operating the lever 37 for automatically expanding and contracting the core at the proper times with relation to the making of the block and the vertical reciprocation of said core.

'lVlounted on the rear portion of the frame, preferably near the upper end thereof, is a shaft 42 having on one end the crank handle 43. On the shaft 42 is a sprocket gear 44. The sprocket 44 is mounted centrally of the machine from side to side.

Mounted in the lower part of the frame in the same vertical plane with the sprocket 44 and spaced inwardly from the sides of the frame, is a similar sprocket 45. A sprocket chain 46 travels on the sprockets 44 and 45.

Mounted centrally in the machine from side to side and spaced away from the center of the machine toward the side on which the shaft 42 is located, are upright parallel guide members 47, shown in horizontal sectional view in Fig. 15. Slidably mounted on the guide members 47 is a member 48 having in cross-section the shape of an I or I-beam. Pivotally connected with the lower end of the sliding member 48 are links 49. The links 49 extend upwardly in the machine and toward the ends thereof, excepting when the frame 22 is at the upper limit of its movement when said links are extended to a substantially horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 2.

Links 50 are secured to the guide members 15 near the central portions thereof from top to bottom, and extend inwardly and are pivoted at their inner ends to the upper or outer ends of the links 49.

Links 51 are pivotally connected with the inner ends of the links 50 and the upper ends of the links 49, and extend upwardly and outwardly in the machine and are pivoted at 52 to the upper end of the frame 22.

Secured to the chain 46 is a member 53, which member 53 is also secured to the sliding member 48. The parts just described are so arranged that when the sliding member 48 is at the lower limit of its movement, the frame 22 and the core are in their lowered positions and the various links are in the positions illustrated in Fig. 3. When the crank 43 is manipulated for moving the inner course of the chain 46 upwardly, the links 51 are forced upwardly carrying with them the frame 22 and the movable core. When the frame 22 and the core reach their upper limit of movement, the links 49 reach substantially horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 1, and the links 50 are then in substantially upright position. On account of the arrai'igement of the links as herein shown, it will be obvious that the last part of the upward movement of the core is slow compared to the movement of the chain and the sprocket, and the first part of the downward movement of the core is similarly comparatively slow.

On the shaft 42 near one end thereof, is a small wheel 54 having spaced notches 55 and 56 in its periphery, adapted to coact with the pawl 57 pivoted on the frame. The pawl 57 is normally held in engagement with the wheel 54 by means of a spring 58. The notch 56 is so located as to lock the shaft 42 when the core is at the upper limit of its movement. The notch 55 is so located that the core may be locked when its upper part is at about the vertical middle of the mold box.

Pivoted to the pawl 57 between its ends, is a downwardly extending link 59. Pivoted between its ends on the frame near the lower portion thereof, is a lever 60 having at one end a foot pedal 61 and having its other end pivoted to the lower end of the link 59, whereby when the pedal 61. is pressed downwardly the pawl 57 will be moved upwardly against the tension of the spring 58 for raising the pawl 57 away from engagement with the wheel 54.

I will now describe further the mechanism for automatically expanding and collapsing the core. -Mounted on the shaft 42 are spaced fingers 65 and 66 arranged with the finger 66 spaced above the finger 65 and slightly shorter than the finger 65. Assuming that the core is in its lowered position and collapsed as shown in Fig. 4, then when the crank is operated for rotating the shaft 42, the member 53 will carry the lower ends of the links 49 upwardly, forcing the upper ends of the links 51 upwardly, and also carrying the inner ends of the links 50 upwardly until the links 50 stand in vertical position, the links 51 in vertical position at the upper ends of the links 50, and the links 49 in horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 1.

During the last part 'of the movement of the shaft 42. the lower longer fingers 65 will engage the lever 37 raising its lower outer end upwardly, thereby rotating the rock shaft 38 and moving the upper ends of the links 35 downwardly and thereby forcing the side members 27 outwardly to their expanded position shown in Fig. 2. The pawl 57 will drop into the notch 56 thereby locking the frame 22 and the collapsible core in their upper positions and holding the shaft in position with the member 65 engaging the lever 37 for holding the core in its expanded position.

In making the ordinary block the pallet is placed in position before the core is raised, and after the core has been raised and thebox closed, the concrete is placed in the lower part of the box around the core and properly tamped. The lower wires or reinforcing members are placed in the slots 41 and more concrete placed in position. The upper wires are then placed in position and covered with concrete. The top of the block may be finished in any ordinary way.

By locking the pawl 57 in the notch 55 the core can be inserted only part way upwardly in the box, and a block can be made which has a hollow opening in its lower side, which block may be used for making top courses and so on.

The ordinary block when completed has a continuous central air space, the two parts of the block being connected by suitable reinforcing means.

The shape of the block to be made may be modified in a great variety of ways. For instance, in Fig. 7 are shown two members 67 adapted to be placed in one end of the mold box on opposite sides of the core, and to be connected together at their upper ends by a connecting strip 68 which rests upon the top of the core. This use of the members 67 would form a block with vertical notches in the adjacent sides of one end of the block.

In Figs. 7 and 8 are also shown core members 69 supported on the mold box by spring clips 70.

In Fig. 9 is shown a core member 71 triangular in horizontal cross-section, adapted to be mounted in the mold box.

In Fig. 10 are shown core members 72 and 73 connected at their upper ends by strips 74 for making a block having beveled ends.

In Fig. 11 is shown a special form of mold box for making blocks indicated by the reference character 75. i

In Fig. 12 the core members 77 are shown adapted to be mounted on the mold box by means of spring clips similar to those already described.

In Fig. 13 I have shown the mold box with a pallet 78 at the bottom thereof, having a central opening 79 to receive the core and having half rounds 80 mounted on the pallet within the mold box on opposite sides of the openings 79, for making longitudinal grooves in the bottom of the block. Similar half rounds in inverted position may be placed in the top of the block for making similar grooves in the top of the block for receiving bonding concrete when the masonry course is laid up.

When the block has been completed in the inner ends of the arms 39 and the members 32, thereby raising the inner ends of the links 35 and drawing the side members 27 inwardly for collapsing the core.

In this connection it will be noted that on account of the arrangement of the links 51,

.50 and 49 hereinbefore described, the first part of the movement of the crank and the chain will cause very little movement of the links and no movement of the frame 22 and the core until the collapsing movement of the core has been partially completed, so that the collapsing of the core is at least partially accomplished before its downward movement is begun. This I consider an important feature of my invention. The movement of the crank can then be continued until the core is lowered to position below the mold box.

Many of the advantages, of a device of this type may be readily seen from the foregoing description. One of the problems in making concrete blocks having air space openings arises from the difiiculty experienced in removing the cores when the blocks are molded. In the types of machines having reciprocating cores it requires a great deal of power to start the core out of the block. With my device the core simply collapses inwardly so that when its sliding movement out of the block starts, the core is not in contact with the inner sides of the block. It is, therefore, a fact that my machine'can be operated with a great deal less labor or power than a machine not employing the expansible core.

It will be noted that the contraction and expansion of the core is automatically accomplished and the mechanism for accomplishing these movements is actuated from the mechanism whereby the core is reciprocated.

It will be understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrange ment of the parts of my improved concrete block machine, without departing from the essential features and purposes of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my present application any such changes which may be included within the reasonable scope of my claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a concrete block machine, a frame, a mold box at the upper part thereof, a second frame mounted for vertical reciprocation on the first frame, a core supported on said second frame, a member mounted to slide vertically on the first frame, links pivoted thereto, and two pairs of links, the inner ends of each pair being pivoted to one of said first links, and the outer ends of each pair being pivoted respectively to the first and second frames, the outer ends of the respective pairs being pivoted on opposite sides of the machine, whereby when said vertically slidable member is reciprocated said links move the slidable frame up and down without binding of the parts.

2. In a concrete block making machine, a frame, a mold box at the upper portion thereof, a second frame mounted for vertical reciprocation on the first frame, a collapsible and expansible core supported thereon, a pair of shafts, sprocket wheels mounted in alinement thereon. a chain on said wheels, means operatively connected with said chain and with said second frame, whereby the movement of the chain moves the second frame, cooperating means supported from one of said shafts and on said core, whereby when the second frame is raised the core is moved to expanded position, and means supported from said last mentioned shaft for cooperating with the last described means on the core for contracting the core before the second frame begins its downward movement.

3. In a machine of the class described. a frame, a mold box thereon, a second frame mounted for vertical reciprocation on said first frame, an expansible and collapsible core supported on said second frame having a bottom member, fixed upright end members, guide devices, horizontally slidable side members for coacting with said guide devices. vertically slidable end members, links pivoted to the respective slidable end members and to the respective side members, whereby the movement of said movable end members operates the side members, means for actuating said slidable members comprising a rock shaft on said bottom members, links fixed thereto and pivoted to the respective slidable end members, a lever fixed on said rock shaft. and means adapted to be actuated when said second frame is reciprocated for operating said lever.

Des Moines, Iowa, November 6, 1915.

JOSEPH H. OBERLE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G." 

